Gun sight



March 7, 1944. c. E. RODNEY 2,343,802

GUN SIGHT Filed Nov. 15, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VYA 46 4042,55 50 IN1/ENTOR. l f f, B. j L 9 ATTE] R N EY 5 356111151 UUm March 7, 1,944. C. E.QDNEY 2,343,802

GUN SIGHT Filed Nov. 15, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JN V EN TOR.

BY u Wyww ATTDRN EYE gigi i W148i III l muwinm wir Patented Mar. 7, 1944w tra UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

My invention relates to rifles, and has among its objects and advantagesthe provision of an improved sight embodying novel adjustments forelevation and windage.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a portion of a rifle illustratingmy invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a top plan view;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a portion of the sight structure;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a mo-died form of elevation latch; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating a further modication in theelevation adjustment mechanism.

In the embodiment selected for illustration, the rear sight I0 ismounted in the usual place on the rie I2. The sight structure comprisesa body or support I4 having upstanding wings I6 and I8 spaced to providea channel-shaped groove 2l) extending longitudinally of the riiie. A pin22 extends through openings in the wings I6 and I8 transversely of thegroove 20. Upon the pin 22 is pivotally mounted the sight member 24,which member has engagement with the wings I6 and I8, as at 26 in Figure2, so as to be restrained from relative longitudinal movement on,

the pin 22.

Sight member 24 carries the sighting element 28 and includes a body 30provided with a slot 32 within which the right angular shank 34 of thesighting element 28 is loosely positioned to pivot about a pin 36threadedly secured in the body 30, as at 38. Thus the sighting member 28may be adjusted about the axis of the pin 36 for windage.

A slot 48 is provided in the shank 34 for the reception of a compressionspring 42 having one end bearing against anv abutment 44 mounted looselyon the pin 36 and its other end abutting the shank 34. The inner end ofthe shank 34 is provided with screw threads 46 meshing with screwthreads 48 on the pin 22 intermediate its ends. The screw threads 46curve concentrically about the axis of the pin 36 when viewed accordingto Figure 2 so that pivotal motion may be imparted to the shank 34through rotary motion yof the pin 22. In view of the spring 42, thescrew threads 46 are held rmly in engagement with the screw threads 48and provide compensation for any wear which may take place on the twosets of threads. A slight space 50 is provided between the abutment 44and the shank 34, see Figure 4, so that the screw threads 46 may be heldin iirm engagement with the screw threads 48 by reason of the spring 42.

Means for imparting rotation to the pin 22 comprises a knob 52 rlxedlysecured to the pin by a key 54, see Figure 6. A series of grooves 56 isprovided in the outer face of the wing I8 for selective reception of alatch ball 58 yieldingly pressed against the wing I8 by a compressionspring 60 housed in a bore 62 in the knob 52, which bore also freelyreceives the latch ball 58.

In Figure 2, the body 30 is provided with an end 64 curvingconcentrically about the axis of the pin 36 and substantially contactinga shoulder 66 on the sighting element 28 provided with a positionindicating line 68. A scale 'I0 is provided on the body 3U for coactionwith the position indicating line 68, which scale is provided with aZero line 'I2 with which the line 68 is registered with firing undernormal conditions which require no adjustment for wndage. The scale 'I6is graduated in minutes of angle.

Rotation of the knob 52 causes the latch ball 58 to be depressed againstthe tension of the spring 60 and snaps into the next groove 56 uponpredetermined ro-tation of the knob. Thus the latch ball 58 clicks intoposition so as to provide a yielding stop as an aid to the user inrotating a knob predetermined amounts. Rotation of the knob pivots thesetting element 28 to shift the line 68 relatively to the windage scale10.

Member 30 is provided with an arm 'I4 operating freely in a groove 'I6in the wing I6. One end of the arm 'I4 is arranged in engagement with acam 'I8 having a cam face 88 engaging the arm 14 and spirally arrangedwith respect to a pivot or post 82 on which the cam 18 is mounted. Thepivot 82 has a large bearing face engageable with the cam so as toprovide a sturdy and good wearing pivot for the cam. Cam face 88 is alsoa durable one. The cam 18 is formed integrally with a knob 84 recessedat 86 for accommodating the head 88 of a screw 98 threaded into the post82 for holding the cam against relative longitudinal movement on thepivot 82.

The wing I 8 is recessed at 92 to receive the cam 18 and a toothed ange94 arranged concentrically of the axis of the pivot 82.

The pin 22 passes through the arm 14 intermediate the ends of the arm,with the arm end opposite the cam 18 provided with a concaved bearingface 96 engaged by a convexed head 98 on a pin extended into a coilspring |02 of the compression type. A bore |04 is provided in the wingI6 for the reception of the greater length of the spring |02. Thus thearm 14 is yieldingly pressed against the spiral cam face 80.

Since the member 30 has a pivot connection only with the pin 22, themember 30 may be pivoted about the axis of the pin 22 Withoutalteringthe normal or windage adjustment of the sighting element 28 withrespect to the windage scale 10. This is also true of the windageadjustment. Rotation of the windage adjustment knob 52 imparts pivotalmotion to the sighting element 28 independently of the elevationadjustment.

To the wing |6 and inside the slot 16 is arranged a latch member |06 inthe nature of a bell crank pivotally connected to the wing at |08. Thearm IIO of the latch member |06 is provided with a blade |I2 engageablein the notches in the toothed iiange 94 for positively latching the cam18 against accidental rotation. Between the arm I I4 of the latch member|06 and the wing |6 is interposed a compression spring I I6 whichyieldingly holds the latch member in the position of Figure 3, thetoothed flange 94 being illustrated therein in dotted lines to moreclearly show the coacting relationship between the flange and the bladeI I2. The extreme end of the arm II4 is shaped to provide an extension|I8 projecting beyond the contour of the wing I6 to be accessible formanipulation of the latch member |06. Thus the latch member |06 may bemoved to an unlatching position with respect to the toothed flange 94 byexerting pressure on the extension II8, after which the sight structuremay be adjusted for elevation through rotation of the knob 84 forrotating the cam 18 in a clockwise direction when Viewing Figures 1 and3.

The knob 84 is provided with a circumferential face |20 provided withnumerals |22 spaced to indicate yardage adjustment or position of thesighting element. A zero line |24 is provided on the Wing I6 adjacentthe face |20 so that the user may determine adjustment of the sightstructure for elevation by noting the reading on the face |20 withrespect to the line |24. For example, alignment of the numeral of the|22 series with the zero line |24 indicates the proper sight adjustmentfor a range of iive hundred yards. A zero line |26 is also provided onthe face |20 Whichf-registers with the line |24 in the normal positionof the sight structure 24 with respect to elevation. The ntches in thetoothed flange 94 are arranged in accordance with the spacing relationbetween the numerals |22 so that the blade |I2 will accurately latch thecam 18 in the position to which the knob 84 is turned. The knob 84 isprovided with a roughened surface |28 to facilitate an effective gripthereon.

The wing I6 is also provided with lines |30 coacting with the Zero line|26 on the knob 84 to indicate sight adjustment in minutes of angle. Thelines |30 may be spaced for indicating one hundred, two hundred, etc.,yardage positions of the sight structure with respect to elevation.

Figure 9 illustrates a modification wherein an annular member |32 isprovided with depressions I 34 for selective reception of a latch ball|36 for latching the member against accidental rotation, the member |32corresponding to the toothed flange 94. The ball |36 is yieldinglypressed against the recessed face of the member |32 by a compressionspring |38 housed in a bore |40 in a wing |42 corresponding to the wingI6. Because of the latch ball I 36, the member 32 may be rotated bymerely exerting predetermined rotary forces on the knob attached to themember to eliminate the necessity for a latching device which must bemanipulated before the knob can be turned.

Figure 10 illustrates a furtherL modication wherein a latch arm |44 ispivoted at |46 to the wing |48 corresponding to the wing I6. The spiralcam |50 is provided with a notched ange |52 in the same manner as thecam 18, the greater part of the ange being broken away in Figure 10. Thefree end of the arm |44 is provided with a blade |54 selectivelyreceivable in 'the notches in the ilange |52.

One end of a compression spring |56 bears against the arm |44 forpressing the blade |54 into selected notches in the flange |52. Thespring |56 is housed in an opening |58 in an insert |59 slipped into theslot or chamber |60.

An arm |6| corresponding to the arm 14 is loosely mounted on a pin |62corresponding to the pin 22. Arm |6| is, of course, a xed part with thesight structure (not shown). A convexed head |64 lies in engagement witha concaved face |66 on the arm |6I. Head |64 is carried by la, .pin |68inserted in a coil spring |10 of the compression type positioned in abore |12 in the insert |59. The cam |50 and the arms |44 and |6I arelocated in the chamber |60. In operating the latch structure of Figure10, downward pivotal movement of the sight structure of the gun pressesthe arm I6I against the arm |44 for moving the blade |54 out of latchingengagement with the notched flange 52. Thus the sight may be adjustedfor elevation by depressing the gun sight with one hand and rotating theknob (not shown) attached to the cam |50.

In Figures 2 and 3, the slot 16 is closed by a cover plate |16 attachedto the wing I6 by pins |18. The wing I6 is cut out at |80 for receiving.the sleeve-like part |82, see Figure 8, on the body 30 which xedlyconnects the arm |14 with the body. Figure 2 illustrates a projection|84 on the cover |16 which ts into the cutout or opening so as toprovide a complete closure for Ithe slotl 16, which communica-tes withthe slot 92.

With further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate myinvention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

Iclaim:

1. In a gun sight, the combination of a suplport, a rotary pin carriedby said support transversely of the line of sight, a body pivoted onsaid pin, a sighting element pivoted on said body for movement about anaxis at right angles to the axis of said |pin, said pin being providedwith screw threads, threads on said sighting element engaging said screwthreads to impart pivota movement to the sighting element for windageadjustment through rotation of said pin, means for rotating said pin,and a rotary cam acting on said body to pivot the body on said pin and`adjust the sighting element for elevation.

2. A gun sight comprising a body having spaced wings, a pin rotatablyjournaled in said wings transversely of the line of sight, a second bodypivoted on said pin and engaging said wings to be restrained fromrelative movement longitudinally on said pin, a sighting element pivotedon said second body for movement about an axis at right angles to theaxis of said pin, said pin being provided with screw threads, threads onsaid sighting element engaging said screw threads to impart pivotalmovement to the sighting element for windage adjustment through rotationof said pin, means for rotating said pin, and a rotary cam acting onsaid second body to pivot the second body on said pin and adjust saidsighting element for elevation.

3. The invention described in claim 2 wherein said second body isprovided with an arm yieldingly pressed against said cam, and a latchfor releasably latching the cam in selected positions.

4. The invention described in claim 2 wherein said second body isprovided with an arm yieldingly pressed against said cam, a latch forreleasably latching the cam in selected positions, there being a chamberin one of said wings for housing said cam and said arm.

5. The invention described in claim 2 wherein said sighting element isslidably mounted on said second body, and resilient means acting on saidsighting element for pressing the threads thereon against said screwthreads.

6. The invention described in claim 2 wherein said cam is of spiralformation, an Iarm fixed to said second body, a spring yieldinglypressing said arm against said cam, a notched ange xed to said cam, anda latch selectively engageable in the notches in the flange fOr latchingthe cam against accidental rotation.

7. The invention described in claim 2 wherein one of said wings isprovided with a chamber and in which said rotary cam is located in thechamber, an arm fixed to said second body engaging said camfsaid armhaving an extension, spring means acting on said extension for pressingsaid arm against the cam, a notched flange fixed to said cam, and alatch having a blade selectively receivable in the notches in saidflange for latching the cam against accidental rotation, said latchbeing in the nature of a piv- Search ilcom oted bell crank springpressed against the notched flange and having an element thereofconstituting a pressure means for pivoting the blade out of holdingengagement with the iange, said latch being mounted in said chamber.

8. The invention described in claim 2 wherein said cam is provided witha notched ange, a pivoted arm selectively receivable in the notches insaid fiange, a spring pressing against said arm, an arm fixed to saidsecond body engaging said cam to pivot the arm through rotary motion ofthe cam, and a spring pressing against said second arm for yieldinglypressing the latter against said cam, said second arm being arranged topiv ot in the path of said first arm to move said blade out of holdingengagement with said ange upon predetermined pivotal movement of saidsecond body.

9. The invention described in claim 2 wherein said second body isprovided with a scale graduated in minutes of angle, a rotation line onsaid sighting element movable relatively to said scale through rotationof said pin, said means comprising a knob, a yielding latch acting onsaid knob and one of said anges for releasably latching the knob indifferent positions, a notched flange on said cam, a latch acting onsaid notched ange to latch the cam against accidental rotation, an armnxed to said second body engaging said cam, said arm having anextension, yielding means acting on said extension to press said armagainst said cam, one of said flanges being provided with a pivotrotatably supporting said cam, a knob fixed to said cam, a scale on saidknob graduated in minutes of angle, a mark on one of said anges coactingwith said scale to indicate the sight elevating position of said cam,and a yardage scale on one of said iianges coacting with said scale.

10. The invention described in claim 1 wherein there is provided a pinsecured to said body for pivotally connecting said sighting elementthereto, an abutment on said pin, a spring interposed between saidabutment and said sighting element for urging the threads thereon intoengagement with said screw threads, said body being provided with a slotloosely receiving a portion of said sighting element, and said sightingelement being provided with a recess for the reception of said spring.

CARL E. RODNEY.

